Coral-tailed cloudwing facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Coral-tailed cloudwing
male
female
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Libellula bimaculata Desjardins, 1835 Libellula pallida Palisot de Beauvois, 1805 Libellula tillarga Fabricius, 1798 Tholymis paratillarga Singh & Prasad, 1980

The coral-tailed cloudwing, also known as Tholymis tillarga, is a type of dragonfly. It belongs to the Libellulidae family, which includes many common dragonflies. You can find this amazing insect in warm, tropical areas. Its home stretches from West Africa all the way to Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

People call this dragonfly by many names. Some common ones are old world twister, evening skimmer, and foggy-winged twister. These names often hint at its unique flight or appearance.

Meet the Coral-Tailed Cloudwing: Appearance and Home

This dragonfly is a medium-sized insect. It has reddish eyes that stand out. Its body, called the thorax, is a yellowish-red color. The tail, or abdomen, is a bright coral red. This gives the dragonfly its "coral-tailed" name.

Wings of the Cloudwing: What Makes Them Special?

The wings of the coral-tailed cloudwing are mostly clear. However, its back wings have a special design. There's a golden-brown patch near the base of each hind wing. Next to this, you'll see a cloudy-white patch. This white patch is very noticeable and gives the dragonfly its "cloudwing" name.

Spotting the Difference: Males vs. Females

It's easy to tell the difference between male and female coral-tailed cloudwings. The male has the distinct cloudy-white patch on its hind wings. Female dragonflies, on the other hand, are mostly brown. They do not have the cloudy-white patches on their hind wings.

Where Do They Live? Understanding Their Habitat

The coral-tailed cloudwing is a migratory species. This means it travels long distances. It lives permanently in the humid, wet parts of tropical regions. These dragonflies like to lay their eggs in still water. They prefer places like weedy ponds, swamps, and calm lakes.

When Are They Active?

These dragonflies are most active during special times of the day. You can often see them flying around at dusk and dawn. This is when the sun is just rising or setting. They also fly during cloudy days when the sun isn't too bright.

Gallery

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  Male showing white patches in wings

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  Male flying

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  Young male with little colouring in his wings

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  Young male viewed from under

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  Young male

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  Young female

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  Young female

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  Adult female

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  Old female

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  Females without white patches in wings

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  Female wings

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  Male wings